By Clinton Martin
In a word, yes. America celebrating its 250th birthday has also touched the Amish community, with many Plain People considering how their history intertwines with the American story. A group of Amish families have decided to commemorate and honor the journey of the first Amish to arrive in America through a Wagon Train. The trip will take place from September 29 through October 3, 2026.
Essentially, when the first wave of Amish immigrants arrived in America, they stepped off the ship in Philadelphia, but soon moved to current-day Berks County, considered the “frontier” at the time. The families are retracing these steps, with a horse-drawn wagon group traveling 12 to 24 miles a day, starting from Penn’s Landing in Philadelphia, ending at the Nicholas Stoltzfus Homestead (historical site dedicated to preserving the history and heritage of the Amish.)